Relief Society General President
1940–1945

Amy Brown Lyman, a gifted administrator, cared deeply about social work. For 16 years she directed the first social welfare department of the Church, which was part of the Relief Society until 1969. She also served in the Utah legislature. While her husband was president of the European mission, she presided over the Church women’s organizations in Europe. During her presidency the Relief Society celebrated its centennial with a membership of 115,000. She led the Relief Society during World War II and emphasized wartime thrift and emergency preparedness as well as relief for war victims. At a time when war industries were pulling many women into the workforce, Sister Lyman focused on strengthening families and championed the role of mothers in the home. She and her husband, Richard R. Lyman, had two children.